Wader was born in Bielefeld, Westphalia. His works are mostly based on German folk songs. Aside from his own lyrics, he also performs works of famous poets like Eichendorff. He now rarely sings the workers' songs and socialist hymns that used to be a large part of his repertoire. He recently published an album exclusively with songs by Franz Schubert. He also performed translated works from Carl Michael Bellman in the album "Liebe, Schnaps & Tod".
Remarkably, many of the social issues Wader sang about are still relevant today. Besides e.g. Franz Josef Degenhardt, Wader can be considered as one of the most active political singers in Germany.
In the 1970s Hanners Wader became one of the stars of the political left through his provocative songs. He was a member of the German Communist Party from 1977 to 1991. The publication of the song "Der Tankerkönig" stirred up controversy, as it covered the kidnapping of the son of the tycoon Rudolf August Oetker. Wader even came under suspicions of terrorism.
In 1973 he moved to Struckum, in Nordfriesland, where he published some of his later albums. He moved with his family in 1998 to live in Kreis Steinburg.
He has published numerous albums and still goes on tours around Germany. He appears on open-air concerts and also in clubs.
http://www.scala-kuenstler.de/hannes-wader.html
Rohr im Wind
Hannes Wader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bind dich nicht an an mich!
Ich bin ein Rohr im Wind
Bind dich nicht an an mich!
Ich bin kein Halt, mein Kind
Ich bin kein Halt, mein Kind
Für dein Boot und dich
Bind dich nicht an an mich!
Ich bin ein Rohr im Wind
Bind dich nicht an an mich!
Ich bin kein Halt, mein Kind
Ich bin kein Halt, mein Kind
Für dein Boot und dich
Ich bin ein Rohr im Wind
Bind dich nicht an an an mich!
Ich bin ein Rohr im Wind
Bind nicht an mich dein Boot!
Es wär' für dich, mein Kind
Es wär' für dich, mein Kind
Es wär' für dich, mein Kind
Und für mich der Tod!
The song "Rohr im Wind" by Hannes Wader tells the story of a person who recognizes that they cannot be the anchor for someone else's life. The central metaphor in the song compares the person to a "Rohr im Wind" or "a reed in the wind", which is a plant that is known for being flexible and swaying with the wind. In the song, the person recognizes that they are just like the reed in the wind, and cannot be a solid, reliable foundation for someone else to anchor their life. The person is warning the other not to become too attached to them because they cannot provide stability or a lasting connection.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of melancholy and sadness as the singer acknowledges the limitations of their place in the world. The repeated refrain of "Bind dich nicht an an mich!" or "Don't tie yourself to me!" emphasizes the singer's desire to warn the other person before it's too late. They fear that if the other person relies on them too much, it could lead to disaster – "Es wär' für dich, mein Kind / Und für mich der Tod!" or "It would be death for you, my child / And death for me!"
Overall, "Rohr im Wind" is a powerful expression of the human desire for connection and the recognition that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we cannot be everything for someone else. The song encourages us to be honest with ourselves and those around us about our limitations, so that we can all live and love more authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich bin ein Rohr im Wind
I am a reed in the wind, constantly swaying and unpredictable
Bind dich nicht an an mich!
Don't tie yourself to me, don't rely on me for stability
Ich bin kein Halt, mein Kind
I am not a support, I cannot bear the weight of your burdens
Für dein Boot und dich
For you and your boat, I am not a strong enough anchor
Bind nicht an mich dein Boot!
Don't anchor your boat to me, I cannot guarantee safety or security
Es wär' für dich, mein Kind
It would be dangerous for you, my child
Und für mich der Tod!
And for me, it would mean death if I had to bear the weight of your expectations
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.